<p>I am seriously considering majoring in B.M.E. I would probably earn my B.S. in either B.M.E., Engineering, or Biology and would go for my M.S. in B.M.E. for sure. I am seeing and hearing conflicting opinions about the careers for biomedical engineers. I am reading from various job outlook sites that the job outlook for BMEs is supposed to increase by an appreciable percentage. On the other hand, when I ask my fellow college students and look at other people's opinions on BME, I hear a lot of unsuccessful stories of how people with M.S. in BME struggle finding jobs as an BME. Has anyone graduated with a B.S. in BME and been able to secure an entry-level job as a BME? Is a MS truly necessary? What are the disadvantages of this degree? I have heard that earning a graduate degree helps one stay at a university and perform research or teach, but I don't plan on becoming an instructor in college or any school or intend to stay at a university for research.</p>
<p>My D has MechE with minor in biomed, school did not have it as a major at the time. She has had a very difficult time gaining a entry level job, infact almost grad a year ago, and still not working as Engineer, nor are any of her friends who want to stay in this field, some have moved onto other areas, some have returned for other degrees. </p>
<p>I know people in the medical device industry, where BioME would be qualified to gain entry level jobs. Word out there and this maybe particular to this area, the changes in health insurance changes the game. There is a new tax placed on devices, another tenuous market changer. There are cutting edge biomed design companies but if new devices/equipment will not be reimbursed via insurance, companies will not put money into development. So if your interested in the design area, it will decrease, if your interested in being a rep for an orthopedic company, hospitals are training their own staff to do this, cardiology as well. Perhaps the neurology area might be less affected.
Careers in research and design will definitely require MS, one of my D professors told her not to obtain MS before working, was it the right choice, still unsure. At least she is not incurring grad school debt. </p>
<p>One thing I can tell you if your are sure this is what you are leaning towards, chose your school wisely, schools with strong relationships with these companies that hire in this industry is very important.</p>
<p>So, it seems like there just aren’t any job openings for entry-level biomedical engineers. I thought that the competition for these careers was what people on college confidential were talking about.</p>